Is it already big, or do you just expect it to get big? I have a very old upright yew I'm developing for bonsai that was collected from an old building site . The plant has at least a 3, maybe 4" trunk. It is in three gallons of soil and tells me it's ecstatic about its home - a Rubbermaid tub I probably salvaged somewhere. In a few years, when this tree makes it to a bonsai pot, it will grow in a gallon of soil or less. Bonsai is just another form of container gardening, so I can assure you that you needn't think in terms of huge amounts of soil. If you put a 3 or 5 gallon yew in 22 gallons of (even) a fast soil, you're likely to find it's over-potted. The soil only needs to be deep enough to cover the roots. Yews appreciate a well-aerated, evenly moist (but never soggy) soil, some shelter from the hottest sun, and a balanced fertilizer. Skip the peanuts if improving drainage is your cause. They are effective at reducing soil volume and reducing weight, though. You picked an easy plant for containers. Al

the only way to insure three of a kind... is easy... root two duplicates ... or remove this one.. and buy three of the same ... and put this one elsewhere ... one would imagine.. here in the conifer forum.. that you could do better than an un-namable yew... lol ... ken ps: the inherent problem.. with or without a name from these guys.. is whether the nursery will have properly labeled stock ...

I'm on the east side of my patio fence between me and my neighbor. I grow Lonicera, Clematis, Gelsemium, Akebia and Hedera helix on the fence. The first four all grew to the top of the fence before they bushed out. And all the flowers are on top or on the neighbor's side. It works fine for privacy but not so great for beauty. The ivy is another matter. It grows on both side of the fence although it is thicker on the sunnier side. However, it doesn't particularly care whether it grows vertically or horizontally so it also grows straight out along the ground (on both sides of the fence) and requires weekly trimming. After it reached maturity, it also required constant picking of old leaves. It is extremely HIGH maintenance and I wouldn't plant it again. Ever. Anywhere. Sigh. Teri

One more vote for giving them more fertilizer and water. You have the old, established yews with lots of roots taking in most of the available water and nutrients. If you add more water and nutrients all your plants will have enough. I am not often an advocate for supplemental fertilizer as it is often unneeded, but this is a classic case where it will make a world of difference. Don't water by just sprinkling for a few minutes with the hose. Water long and deep with a soaker hose or a low-volume sprinkler. Adding a light layer of mulch will help keep the moisture levels more even between waterings and add a few nutrients over time as well.